Museums and Castles events

Meet our friendly signing staff! Take part in self-led activities and more.
We’ll explore a different theme each month inspired by our museum objects.
Discover Pontefract Museum through play, sign-supported English and making connections.

Have fun learning and playing together and tick off the following on your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5:
#6 Rhyme Time
#4 Make Your Mark
#11 Making Connections
#39 Talking Signs
#40 Happy History
Free and no booking required.

These sessions are designed for children aged 2 to 5 and their families.

Mondays in term time, 11:15am to 12:15pm
At Pontefract Museum
Free and no booking required

Join Charlie Bear every Tuesday during term time for a lively session of storytelling, crafts and rhymes!

We’ll be inspired by museum objects and a different theme each month. There's also a weekly Charlie Bear Challenge to try together!

Activities link to the following of your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5

#4 Make your Mark

#6 Rhyme Time

#10 Sharing books

#40 Happy History

Every Tuesday in term time, 10am – 11am

Free – No booking required

Pop along for a relaxed hour's crafting with our friendly team.

Explore Castleford's colourful and crafty past and try out a different activity each month (during term time).

All materials provided.

Free and no booking required.

What incredible events the walls of Pontefract Castle have seen! 

While we can only wish the walls could talk, they have other ways of telling us about the past. There are all sorts of interesting features and quirks hidden in plain sight. 

Discover what secrets they can share about this once great castle in our intriguing talk for Heritage Open Days!

Free talk, booking required as places are limited.

For adults 16+

This event will take place in the Visitor Centre at Pontefract Castle. 

Book Heritage Open Days: If these walls could talk

Meet Alphabet Cat and take part in activities, rhymes and more! 

Each month there's a new theme to help you explore Wakefield Museum. 

Have fun learning and playing together and tick off the following on your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5:

#6 Rhyme Time, #7 Making Music, #11 Making Connections, #39 Talking Signs, #40 Happy History 

Every Thursday morning from 10.30am to 11.30am during term time. 

Free and no booking required

These sessions are designed for toddlers aged 2 to 5 and their families.

Please note: The fire alarms in Wakefield One are tested at 11am on Thursdays. We have ear defenders you and / or your children can borrow.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tours

Go behind the scenes and discover some of the wonders of Wakefield Museums and Castles Collections. 

Led by experts in our collections team, delve into a treasure trove of objects from Wakefield’s past. Find out how we keep them safe. 

Highlights include local archaeology, historic costume, social history objects and furniture.  

This tour is part of Heritage Open Days.

Free, but pre-booking required. 

Please be aware this is unfortunately not suitable for people with a nut allergy. 

Let us know any access requirements you have when booking. 

Book Heritage Open Day: Museum Store Tour

Go behind the scenes and discover some of the wonders of Wakefield Museums and Castles Collections. 

Led by experts in our collections team, delve into a treasure trove of objects from Wakefield’s past. Find out how we keep them safe. 

Highlights include local archaeology, historic costume, social history objects and furniture.  

This tour is part of Heritage Open Days.

Free, but pre-booking required. 

Please be aware this is unfortunately not suitable for people with a nut allergy. 

Let us know any access requirements you have when booking. 

Book Heritage Open Day: Museum Store Tour

Go behind the scenes and discover some of the wonders of Wakefield Museums and Castles Collections. 

Led by experts in our collections team, delve into a treasure trove of objects from Wakefield’s past. Find out how we keep them safe. 

Highlights include local archaeology, historic costume, social history objects and furniture.  

This tour is part of Heritage Open Days.

Free, but pre-booking required. 

Please be aware this is unfortunately not suitable for people with a nut allergy. 

Let us know any access requirements you have when booking. 

Book Heritage Open Day: Museum Store Tour

Pontefract Museum began its life 120 years ago as a Carnegie Library. 

Find out about how the building has changed over the last 120 years in a fascinating illustrated talk.

See some of the earliest objects collected by the museum, plus intriguing archive images, drawings and photographs. 

This talk is part of Heritage Open Days and delivered in partnership with Wakefield Libraries. 

Free, booking required. Book Talk: 120 years - from Carnegie Library to Local Museum

Join the Castleford Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed crafts and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Join the Wakefield Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed crafts and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Join the Pontefract Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed crafts and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tours

Discover the intriguing history of Pontefract Castle on a friendly and informative tour of the castle. This tour is free for Heritage Open Days! 

Join us for a tour of the castle as our friendly guide takes you around this historic site.
In years gone by, Pontefract Castle was one of Britain’s most important castles and was known as The Key to the North!
Discover who built and lived in the castle and listen to stories of unfaithful Queens, imprisoned Kings as well the castle’s role in the English Civils Wars.
Find out what the castle looked like in its heyday and why the castle now looks as it does!
The tour is suitable for wheelchair users and visitors with pushchairs.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours (Heritage Open Days)

Discover the intriguing history of Pontefract Castle on a friendly and informative tour of the castle. This tour is free for Heritage Open Days! 

Join us for a tour of the castle as our friendly guide takes you around this historic site.
In years gone by, Pontefract Castle was one of Britain’s most important castles and was known as The Key to the North!
Discover who built and lived in the castle and listen to stories of unfaithful Queens, imprisoned Kings as well the castle’s role in the English Civils Wars.
Find out what the castle looked like in its heyday and why the castle now looks as it does!
The tour is suitable for wheelchair users and visitors with pushchairs.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours (Heritage Open Days)

Discover the intriguing history of Pontefract Castle on a friendly and informative tour of the castle. This tour is free for Heritage Open Days! 

Join us for a tour of the castle as our friendly guide takes you around this historic site.
In years gone by, Pontefract Castle was one of Britain’s most important castles and was known as The Key to the North!
Discover who built and lived in the castle and listen to stories of unfaithful Queens, imprisoned Kings as well the castle’s role in the English Civils Wars.
Find out what the castle looked like in its heyday and why the castle now looks as it does!
The tour is suitable for wheelchair users and visitors with pushchairs.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours (Heritage Open Days)

Discover the intriguing history of Pontefract Castle on a friendly and informative tour of the castle. This tour is free for Heritage Open Days! 

Join us for a tour of the castle as our friendly guide takes you around this historic site.
In years gone by, Pontefract Castle was one of Britain’s most important castles and was known as The Key to the North!
Discover who built and lived in the castle and listen to stories of unfaithful Queens, imprisoned Kings as well the castle’s role in the English Civils Wars.
Find out what the castle looked like in its heyday and why the castle now looks as it does!
The tour is suitable for wheelchair users and visitors with pushchairs.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours (Heritage Open Days)

Discover the intriguing history of Pontefract Castle on a friendly and informative tour of the castle. This tour is free for Heritage Open Days! 

Join us for a tour of the castle as our friendly guide takes you around this historic site.
In years gone by, Pontefract Castle was one of Britain’s most important castles and was known as The Key to the North!
Discover who built and lived in the castle and listen to stories of unfaithful Queens, imprisoned Kings as well the castle’s role in the English Civils Wars.
Find out what the castle looked like in its heyday and why the castle now looks as it does!
The tour is suitable for wheelchair users and visitors with pushchairs.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours (Heritage Open Days)

Discover the intriguing history of Pontefract Castle on a friendly and informative tour of the castle. This tour is free for Heritage Open Days! 

Join us for a tour of the castle as our friendly guide takes you around this historic site.
In years gone by, Pontefract Castle was one of Britain’s most important castles and was known as The Key to the North!
Discover who built and lived in the castle and listen to stories of unfaithful Queens, imprisoned Kings as well the castle’s role in the English Civils Wars.
Find out what the castle looked like in its heyday and why the castle now looks as it does!
The tour is suitable for wheelchair users and visitors with pushchairs.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours (Heritage Open Days)

Find out how Pontefract Castle was made and how it was built and rebuilt over time.

Experiment with different shapes and materials.

Can you find the sturdiest design in our strong structures challenge?  

Test your medieval builder skills, and have a go at wattle and daub. 

This activity is part of Heritage Open Days.

Free and no booking required.

Find out how Pontefract Castle was made and how it was built and rebuilt over time.

Experiment with different shapes and materials.

Can you find the sturdiest design in our strong structures challenge?  

Test your medieval builder skills, and have a go at wattle and daub. 

This activity is part of Heritage Open Days.

Free and no booking required.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tours

Pontefract Castle has been painted, drawn and recreated by artists for hundreds of years. Sit and Sketch Sunday is your chance to have a go!

Borrow some paper and paints, and have a go at sketching the things you see at the castle.

Will you focus in or go for a wide open view? The choice is up to you.

Perfect for Sunday afternoon relaxing with friends and family.

This event is part of Heritage Open Days

Meet our friendly signing staff! Take part in self-led activities and more.
We’ll explore a different theme each month inspired by our museum objects.
Discover Pontefract Museum through play, sign-supported English and making connections.

Have fun learning and playing together and tick off the following on your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5:
#6 Rhyme Time
#4 Make Your Mark
#11 Making Connections
#39 Talking Signs
#40 Happy History
Free and no booking required.

These sessions are designed for children aged 2 to 5 and their families.

Mondays in term time, 11:15am to 12:15pm
At Pontefract Museum
Free and no booking required